World Robot Contests 2018—BCI Controlled Robot Contest
I.Overview
Brain-computerinterface (BCI) systems capture and measurespecific signals of brain activity, particularly electrical activity of neurons,and translate them into device control signals. In doing so, they allow usersto control and operate robots quickly and easily. The technology is key to creatingnew possibilities of facilitated human-robot interaction. It has varied uses insuch fields as entertainment, disaster relief as well as assistance and rehabilitationfor the disabled, significantly improving their quality of life.
To foster BCI technological innovation, encourage cross-sector exchanges and partnershipsthat fuel integrated development across BCI and collaborating industries, andpromote BCI application to serve diversified needs for services includinghealthcare and elderly care, the BCI Controlled Robot Contest (BCRC) isorganized by the Chinese Institute of Electronics as part of the World RobotConference (WRC) 2018 event. The goal is to present a competition of global influencethat celebrates technology, innovation and practicality, tapping into BCI’sgreat potential for securing a future of better life.
The contest focuses on the practical functionality of BCI technology (especiallyits role in assistive and rehabilitative systems for the disabled). Itchallenges those who are either invited or register for participation todemonstrate how well they are able to work with BCI-controlled systems. The disabledare also welcome to participate, mainly via invitation upon the recommendationof medical and rehabilitation facilities.
The competitions are divided into preliminaries and final rounds. The preliminarieswill be held in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, leading up to finals at theWRC 2018 in Beijing. The official competition data will be kept as a record of whatChina has achieved in BCI technology.
The second BCRC expert panel meeting of WRCC2018
II. Arrangements
The BCI technology has many real-world applications, ranging from robot control andassisted spelling, to cognitive intelligence and industrial production.Its role in assistive and rehabilitative systems for the disabled is particularlyprominent, as it helps them lead a more productive life through improvedcommunication and mobility.
These practical functions of BCI—notably as assistive and rehabilitative technology—are the focus of BCRC, which consists of competitions for both individuals and teams.The former (BCI-controlled Typing Contest) focuses on participants’ ability tooperate BCI systems, while the latter (BCI-controlled Wheelchair Contest) examinesthe competing BCIs’ overall capability of controlling devices for specific tasks.
BCRC aims to enhance user control over devices via BCI systems and improve BCI performancein terms of accuracy, processing speed, and practicality, so that the technologyis increasingly prepared to serve diversified needs for services including assistanceand rehabilitation, healthcare and elderly care, driving cross-sectorintegrated development.
Participationin the events is either on invitation or by registration. The disabled are alsowelcome to participate, mainly via invitation upon the recommendation of medical andrehabilitation facilities. Specifically, BCRC featuresfour events:
Event1: BCI-controlled Typing Contest
Event 2:Motor Imagery
Event 3:Brain-controlled Technology Exhibition (for brain-controlled robotic arms,robots, games, drones and exoskeletons, among others)
Event 4:Call for Tasks for BCRC 2019
1. BCI-controlled Typing Contest
BCI-controlled typing systemsprovide a much-needed communication option for ALS patients. The contest mainlymeasures the typing skills of those who are invited or register forparticipation, including disabled participants invited upon the recommendationof medical and rehabilitation facilities.
Based on the BCI type, the contest is divided into SSVEP and P300 sessions.
2. Motor Imagery
Motor imagery-basedBCI-controlled systems offer a communication tool to peoplewith injured central nervous systems, making it apromising technology for rehabilitation practices. The contest evaluates thedevice control performance of such systems, and participation in the event iseither on invitation or by registration. Disabled participants are also invitedupon the recommendation of medical and rehabilitation facilities.
3. Brain-controlled Technology Exhibition
Participationin the exhibition is by invitation only, which is extended by the Secretariatof the WRC Organizing Committee (the Secretariat) based on discussions with theBCRC expert panel. Outstanding R&D teams invited will present their latest achievementsat WRC2018.
Invitedteams will present in the designated area their brain signal processing designsfor clinical practice, covering not only BCIs, but also inventions related tofields like myoelectricity, exoskeletons and mechanical automation(brain-controlled robotic arms, robots, games, drones and exoskeletons, forexample).
4. Call for Tasks
BCI is an active topic of research, buzzing with innovations in a wide variety of subfields, from invasive BCI systems to BCI-based space, robot and rehabilitation systems. Given such diversity indevelopment, decision on tasks for the 2019 Contest is challenging. The event thus gathers from the public what they would like to see next year. Their suggestionswill be taken into consideration when the expert panel finalizes task plans forthe upcoming BCRC.
5.Schedule
Date | Event |
Late April, 2018 | Contest notification announced and registration open |
May-July, 2018 | Preliminaries (in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou) |
15-19 August, 2018 | Finals (at the WRC 2018) |
6. Awards and Prizes
Individual and team winners will receive award certificatesand prizes proportionate to the sponsorship. The contest will be promoted andcovered across WRC 2018 media channels.
The Secretariat will connect the leading universities and partners to relatedresearch, medical and investment institutions, social organizations, andbusinesses across relevant supply chains. The connection aims to inspire BCItechnological innovation and offer opportunities for cross-sector partnershipsthat serve diversified needs for services including BCI-enabled healthcare andelderly care, contributing to integrated development across BCI andcollaborating industries.
7. Location and Venue
The contest is divided into preliminaries and final rounds. The preliminarieswill be held in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, followed by finals at the WRC2018 in Beijing. See the detailed floor plan for BCRC finals below.
III. Registration and Contact Information
1. Inquiry
Contact:ZHANG Yuewei
Tel.:010-68283457
E-mail:zhangywdmt66@126.com
Address:Building 13, South Puhui Lane, South Yuyuantan Road, Haidian District, Beijing
2. Official Media Channels
Website: https://www.worldrobotconference.com/
https://www.世界机器人大会.com/
WeChat Official Account:World RobotConference(Scan the QR code andsubscribe to the account)
Updates on BCRC information from the Secretariat can be accessed from the above WRC2018 official media channels.